Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jerome Simpson was injured in an October game, causing him to miss playing time. (Pioneer Press: John Autey)

The lower back injury that caused Vikings receiver Jerome Simpson to miss a game in October is still bothering him, coach Leslie Frazier said Thursday, Dec. 13. And in Frazier's mind, the injury has altered Simpson's play this season.

Simpson missed most of the Vikings' Oct. 7 win over the Tennessee Titans after he was unable to push off his left leg, and was scratched the next Sunday against the Washington Redskins. He has caught just 15 passes for 176 yards this season after returning from a three-game suspension at the beginning of the year.

"When you consider the injury and the time missed, the combination of the two has factored into the numbers he's produced," Frazier said. "You can't get around the injury. It definitely has had an effect on his play. We're doing the best we can. He's doing the best he can."

None of the Vikings' doctors has indicated the injury would require surgery, Frazier said, but it is still affecting Simpson's speed and his ability to cut sharply. Simpson was signed to improve the Vikings' deep passing game, but his longest reception of the season is 33 yards.

Simpson declined to talk to reporters Thursday.

"It can be very frustrating for any athlete," Frazier said. "He's fought through it. He's tried to prepare as best he could every week to go out and help us. It's frustrating for him, without question."